The Boston Celtics have lost six straight games and are clinging to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race, two games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled all season and are trailing Houston by 4.5 games for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Both teams get a chance to turn their seasons around in national TV games against two of the league's best on Sunday.
2013 NBA schedule: Ray Allen’s return to Boston, Thunder-Lakers highlight Sunday action
The Lakers and Celtics are both struggling, but have a chance to get on track in big matchups on national TV Sunday.
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The Celtics host the defending champion Miami Heat at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, in a game that features former Celtics star Ray Allen's return to Boston. Allen, who played five seasons there and helped the Celtics win an NBA title, signed with the Heat as a free agent in the offseason. He had 19 points in Miami's season-opening win over the Celtics in Miami.
The Lakers and their star-studded roster full of -- to this point -- ill-fitting pieces host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Thunder have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Lakers.
Here is the rest of Sunday’s action (all times Eastern):
New Orleans Hornets at Memphis Grizzlies, 6 p.m.
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic, 6 p.m.
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, 6:30 p.m.
Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks, 7:30 p.m.
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
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